A lifetime first brought about a new perspective for Jair Avalos.
I believe most of us have a bucket list. We all at least want to see, do, or even try a few things before we meet our fate. As a kid, I always wanted to see, touch, and just be around the presence of snow. Something about snow felt so magical to me because the only snow I saw was the one that builds up inside the freezers for ice cream. For a little kid who lived in the weather where water would fall from the sky and clouds that walk on the ground, snow sounded like a miracle.
Before I was even told about going to the snow I was diagnosed with depression. My mental state was at its worst in the year of 2022. I felt like an empty shell with no purpose. So when I heard me, my family, and my mom’s friend were going to the snow I felt something in me. I truly was excited for something. And when we went, the snow was so beautiful. When we got out of the car to go on the snow, my heart was racing, my lips going far from a smile, just by seeing the snow! The snow just left my hands red, as it burned my hands. I felt like crying. Not out of pain but out of joy. That was just the first day.
The last day we went around looking for a place to sled and have fun. Seeing the snow on the mountains and hills in the car listening to music felt new. I never experienced such things. I never experienced sledding. And yet I did it. I never did a snow angel. And yet I did it. I even made a snowman. At that point of life I felt hopeless, like living in a black and white movie, where everything is repeated and everything was scripted. But when I saw the snow I felt healed. I was far away from my problems and I felt truly free. Freedom that I needed.